Judge upholds ex-sheriff's sex-abuse sentence

A Reno County judge has upheld a former Kansas sheriff's sentence for rape and indecent liberties with a child.

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By Associated Press

Butler County Times Gazette

By Associated Press

Posted Jun. 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM

By Associated Press

Posted Jun. 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM

Hutchinson, Kan.

A Reno County judge has upheld a former Kansas sheriff's sentence for rape and indecent liberties with a child.

Reno County District Court Judge Trish Rose rejected former Trego County Sheriff James Bloom's argument that his lawyers were ineffective and did not tell him the possible maximum sentence he could receive if he went to trial in 2006.

The Hutchinson News reports (http://bit.ly/1bZk2xN ) Rose rejected the motion and upheld Bloom's 27-year sentence for crimes against a 13-year-old girl. She said Bloom was advised twice in court of possible penalties for each crime. Bloom rejected several plea offers in the case and went to trial.

Bloom was an instructor at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center at the time of the crime.